Nextar rolls out 43LT nav unit with free live traffic updates

This isn't the first time that Nextar has offered free live traffic updates (courtesy of NAVTEQ) on one of its GPS units, but it is the first time that it's put Nav N Go's navigation software into use, which brings with it some easily updateable maps and, of course, some fancy 3D graphics. Otherwise, the device is a fairly standard 4.3-inch number, with it packing 1.6 million points of interest, an SD card slot for expansion, text-to-speech, the usual basic media-playback options, and that bundled live traffic receiver. So, nothing too extraordinary, but the $169.99 MSRP is certainly right, and you can pick this one up right now if you're in a hurry.

[MrQuestion @ Jun 26th 2009 12:08PM]

Anyone know how goo this is?

[rigg419 @ Jun 26th 2009 12:13PM]

Very gooey

[kashem @ Jun 26th 2009 12:17PM]

Who needs GPS systems when most mobile phones out there already have GPS built right into them. its more easier and a lot more convenient.

[w92pathse @ Jun 26th 2009 12:24PM]

GPS on my phone sucks and my phone didn't come with a window mount. Using Google Maps, the traffic info (in Atlanta anyways..) wasn't very accurate, either.

I'd like to know how the live traffic works from a technical aspect. Satellites? Cell towers?

[brian.m.jones @ Jun 26th 2009 1:04PM]

@w92

It's traffic radio so more than likely it's off the traffic radio's that GPS units have been using for years for traffic updates. So it'll only work in areas that have the coverage and only when the coverage is operational. It's a marginally useful feature.

[Oh4Sh0 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:07PM]

i thought nextar was exiting the gps business?

[Milty @ Jun 26th 2009 5:34PM]

I purchased this unit two weeks ago for $129.00 (Best Buy) when my Mio C310x was stolen. The traffic updates were so-so. I took it on a trip from Ohio->Louisiana->Texas and back up. The traffic updates for big cities worked but most information was incorrect or possibly old information in smaller cities. It did reroute me a couple times through Dallas and from the looks of it, the GPS was correct in rerouting me.

GOOD: The lane signs (pictures above) worked really well and were correct all but a couple times. The street voice was a little robotic-sounding but that didn't bother me. The map software seemed to be updated. Comes with a stylus. BAD: Touchscreen responds slowly to touch input. No "current speed", or "speed limit" info will show when in you are in Navigation Mode. You can only pick a single point to navigate to! (Big bad for me) For instance, if you want to hit a restaurant in route to your destination it will remove your current destination and only route to the restaurant. you will then have to reload your original destination after stopping.

If you have any other questions, I'll try and answer them for you.

[Howard @ Jun 26th 2009 9:09PM]

Milty,

Hi, I wonder what version of Nav 'n' Go iGo Amigo? And, your version has got US maps only or US + Canada? Thank you in advanced.

[Milty @ Jun 26th 2009 9:22PM]

Howard,

Nextar Nav System 8.4.2.84285 (Apr 2, 2009). Looks to be US maps only.

[Howard @ Jun 27th 2009 12:37AM]

Milty,

Thank you for the info. Then it is the iGo Amigo from Nav 'n' go. I have played with the iGo Amigo 8.4.2.81333 for a while but I still prefer the more robust / complete iGo 8.3.x To me, iGO Amigo is more straight-forward, less complicated to use but miss out some POI-related features.

[Rick07 @ Jun 29th 2009 5:29AM]

Some version of this software will go to the iPhone as well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymdZGw74V_I